noun
- the blocking of light from one celestial body by another, especially when the moon passes in front of a star or planet
Usage: astronomy
Examples
- Astronomers observed several occultations of bright stars by the moon last month.
- The occultations provided valuable data about the moon’s orbit.
- Jupiter’s occultations of background stars help scientists study the planet’s atmosphere.
- Lunar occultations occur when the moon passes between Earth and a distant star.
- The telescope captured clear images of the stellar occultations.
- Occultations can last from seconds to several minutes depending on the celestial bodies involved.